Scripture of the Day:

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You must not make valueless gods for yourselves, and you must not set up a carved image or a sacred pillar for yourselves . . . in order to bow down toward it.—Leviticus 26:1.

It is interesting that in most Bible verses where the word “valueless” appears, it is applied to false gods. King David wrote: “Jehovah is great and very much to be praised, and he is to be feared more than all other gods. For all the gods of the peoples are valueless gods. As for Jehovah, he made the heavens.” (1 Chron. 16:25, 26) As David indicated, we are surrounded by evidence of Jehovah’s greatness. (Ps. 139:14; 148:1-10) What a privilege it was for the Israelites to be in a covenant relationship with Jehovah! How foolish they were to turn away from him and bow down before carved images and sacred pillars! In times of crisis, their false gods proved to be truly valueless, powerless to save themselves let alone their worshippers.—Judg. 10:14, 15; Isa. 46:5-7.

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The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree and so I ate.—Genesis 3:12.

God used one of Adam’s ribs to make for him a perfect helper. Upon catching sight of her, Adam said: “This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” (Gen. 1:27; 2:18, 21-23) Jehovah showed his approval of this development, yoking the first human pair in marriage and pronouncing his blessing upon them. (Gen. 1:28; 2:24) Sadly, before long the divine institution of marriage came under attack. How so? A wicked spirit, who came to be called Satan, deceived Eve into eating from the only tree that was forbidden to the couple. Subsequently, Adam joined his wife in what amounted to a rebellion against God’s rightful rule and good direction. (Gen. 3:1-7) When Jehovah asked the couple what they had done, it became obvious that their relationship was already strained. Adam blamed his wife, saying the words of today’s text.

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You have left the love you had at first.—Revelation 2:4.

When addressing the first-century Christian congregation in Ephesus, Jesus spoke of “the love you had at first.” The Ephesians had many good qualities, yet the love they once manifested for Jehovah had waned. Hence, Jesus told them: “I know your deeds, and your labor and endurance, and that you cannot bear bad men, and that you put those to the test who say they are apostles . . . You are also showing endurance, and you have borne up for my name’s sake and have not grown weary. Nevertheless, I hold this against you, that you have left the love you had at first.” (Rev. 2:2-4) Jesus’ counsel to the Ephesians and to other congregations he addressed in the book of Revelation has been fitting in view of conditions that existed for a time among anointed Christians from 1914 on. (Rev. 1:10) Yet, it is possible that even now some Christians may lose “the love [they] had at first” for Jehovah and for Christian truth.

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To your seed I am going to give this land.—Genesis 12:7.

As a child growing up in Egypt, Joshua must have come to know of Jehovah’s promise to give the Israelites a land of their own. (Gen. 50:24, 25; Ex. 3:8) Then Joshua watched as Jehovah began to fulfill that promise by bringing the Ten Plagues upon Egypt and forcing obstinate Pharaoh to let the sons of Israel go. Joshua was among those who were delivered through the Red Sea, and then he watched as that sea swallowed up Pharaoh and his army. During a long journey through “the great and fear-inspiring wilderness” of the Sinai Desert, Joshua saw how Jehovah provided everything the Israelites needed. Not a single one died of thirst or hunger. (Deut. 8:3-5, 14-16; Josh. 24:5-7) When the time came for the Israelites to conquer mighty Canaanite nations and take possession of the Promised Land, Joshua saw how the God whom he and the other Israelites worshipped backed them in this work.—Josh. 10:14, 42.

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We are walking by faith, not by sight.—2 Corinthians 5:7.

Why is faith important? Well, Jehovah leads us in “the tracks of righteousness,” but those tracks do not lead to wealth or privilege in this world. (Ps. 23:3) For that reason, our eye of faith needs to be fixed on the incomparable spiritual rewards that come from serving Jehovah. (2 Cor. 4:17, 18) And faith helps us to be content with modest material provisions. (1 Tim. 6:8) Jesus indicated that true worship involves self-sacrifice, which also takes faith. (Luke 9:23, 24) Some faithful worshippers have made great sacrifices, enduring poverty, oppression, prejudice, even severe persecution. (2 Cor. 11:23-27; Rev. 3:8-10) Only strong faith enabled them to do so with joy. (Jas. 1:2, 3) Strong faith makes us absolutely confident that following Jehovah’s guidance is always best. We have no doubt whatsoever that the reward for those who loyally endure is far greater than any temporary suffering.—Heb. 11:6.

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I planted, Apollos watered, but God kept making it grow.—1 Corinthians 3:6.

“God’s fellow workers.” That is how the apostle Paul described the privilege all of us can enjoy. (1 Cor. 3:7-9) The work to which Paul referred is the disciple-making work. He likened it to the sowing and watering of seed. If we are to be successful in that vital work, we need Jehovah’s help. Paul reminds us that it is “God who makes it grow.” That humbling fact helps us to have a proper view of our ministry. We may work diligently at preaching and teaching, but ultimately all praise goes to Jehovah for any growth that might result. Why? Because try as we may, none of us can fully understand the growth process, let alone control it. King Solomon expressed the situation correctly when he wrote: “You do not know the work of the true God, who does all things.”—Eccl. 11:5.

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If the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it.—Matthew 10:13.

The Bible specifically mentions that the apostles preached from house to house. For example, Acts 5:42 says of them: “Every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.” Some 20 years later, the apostle Paul reminded the older men of the congregation in Ephesus: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.” Did Paul visit those elders before they became believers? Evidently so, for he taught them, among other things, “about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:20, 21) Commenting on Acts 20:20, Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament says: “It is worth noting that this greatest of preachers preached from house to house.”

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“The time left is reduced…” – 1 Corinthians 7:29Michael LeBoeuf in his book “Working Smart” said, “Jumping around and splashing in the water doesn’t mean you’re swimming.

In other words, there can be a difference between being active and that of really accomplishing something worthwhile. Look back at the past week. For what did you make time? For what were you too busy? Do you see a need to make more time for the things you really care about?

Consider what Jesus foretold about our hurried times. He said that as this system nears its end and Almighty God,s (YHWH’s) righteous new world draws near, his disciples would be busy. Doing what? Preaching “this good news of (God’s) kingdom.” Jesus also said that the majority of the people would be too busy to listen. They would be preoccupied with the ordinary matters of life. He added that those who are too busy to take note of the Kingdom message would suffer destruction. – Matthew 24:14, 37-39; Luke 17:28-30.

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Better is it to go to the house of mourning.—Ecclesiastes 7:2.

Jehovah kindly warns us that if we allow our heart or our eyes to lead us toward what is harmful, we must expect to suffer the consequences. (Gal. 6:7) Moreover, an unbalanced pursuit of pleasure will hinder us from paying proper attention to weightier matters. Remember, life passes by quickly, and there is no guarantee that our short life will always be marked by good health and freedom from problems. That is why, as Solomon noted, we may derive greater benefit from attending a funeral—especially that of a loyal Christian brother or sister—than from going to a “house of rejoicing.” (Eccl. 7:4) Why is that so? As we listen to the funeral discourse and reflect on the life course of the faithful servant of Jehovah who has died, we might be moved to examine our own life course. As a result, we may conclude that we need to adjust our goals in order to use the remainder of our lives wisely.—Eccl. 12:1.

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O God, do not keep far away from me. O my God, do hurry to I disagreeistance.—Psalms 71:12.

When David had been faced with determined enemies who were out to take his life, he chose not to take matters into his own hands. Instead, he trusted that Jehovah would deal with the opposers in his own time and way. (1 Sam. 26:10) David had no doubt that he would receive divine help. He continued firmly convinced that Jehovah helps and delivers those who seek him. (Heb. 11:6) David believed that such true worshippers have every reason to rejoice and to magnify Jehovah by telling others about his greatness. (Ps. 5:11; 35:27) Like David, we can have full confidence that Jehovah is our Helper and “the Provider of escape” for us. (Ps. 70:5) Hence, when we face difficult trials or feel in desperate need of assistance, we can rightly pray that Jehovah quickly come to our aid.

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There . . . came to him a leper, entreating him even on bended knee.—Mark 1:40.

The leper came to Jesus and pleaded to be cured. (Mark 1:41, 42) Instead of sending the leper away, Jesus dealt with the shunned man in a compassionate and dignified manner. What Jesus saw was a pitiful human with a need for relief. With heart stirred, Jesus turned his feelings of compassion into prompt action. He reached out, touched the leper, and healed him. As Jesus’ followers, how can we imitate the manner in which Jesus reflected the dignity of his Father? One way is by appreciating that all humans—regardless of status, health, or age—deserve due honor and respect. (1 Pet. 2:17) Especially do those in positions of oversight, such as husbands, parents, and Christian elders, need to dignify those in their care and help them to preserve their self-respect. The Bible states: “In brotherly love have tender affection for one another. In showing honor to one another take the lead.”—Rom. 12:10

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Pursue . . . love.—2 Tim. 2:22.
Our godly devotion must include obedience to Jesus’ new commandment to “love one another” as he loved us. (John 13:34) The apostle John pointed out: “Whoever has this world’s means for supporting life and beholds his brother having need and yet shuts the door of his tender compassions upon him, in what way does the love of God remain in him?” (1 John 3:17) Can you think of occasions when you have displayed love in a practical way? Another way in which we pursue love is by being forgiving, not nursing grudges against our brothers. (1 John 4:20) We want to follow the inspired counsel: “Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also.” (Col. 3:13) Is there someone in the congregation toward whom you could apply this counsel? Will you forgive him or her?

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If you [Solomon] will . . . keep all my commandments by walking in them, . . . I shall not leave my people Israel.—1 Kings 6:12, 13.

In his old age, Solomon became unfaithful to Jehovah and began to engage in false worship. (1 Ki. 11:4-6) Gradually, Solomon ceased to obey Jehovah’s laws and became increasingly oppressive. This happened to such an extent that after his death, people complained about him to his son and successor, Rehoboam, and requested relief. (1 Ki. 12:4) How did Jehovah respond when Solomon became unfaithful? The Bible tells us: “Jehovah came to be incensed at Solomon, because his heart had inclined away from . . . the God of Israel, the one appearing to him twice.” Jehovah told Solomon: “For the reason that . . . you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I laid in command upon you, I shall without fail rip the kingdom away from off you, and I shall certainly give it to your servant.”—1 Ki. 11:9-11.

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[[Hi everyone, this is a very important scriptural post – please read carefully]]

From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.—Acts 20:30.

While Jesus’ apostles were living, they acted as “a restraint” against such apostasy, but after they died, many false Christian sects developed. Today, there are hundreds of conflicting religions in the realm of Christendom. The Bible pointed to the rise of Christendom’s clergy, describing them collectively as “the man of lawlessness” and “the son of destruction . . . whom the Lord Jesus will do away with . . . and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence.” (2 Thess. 2:3, 6-8) Christendom’s clergy are lawless in that they have misled millions by promoting teachings, holidays, and behavior contrary to the Bible. Like the religious leaders whom Jesus condemned, the modern-day worshippers who are part of “the son of destruction” face destruction with no hope of a resurrection.—2 Thess. 1:6-9.

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Now when Jesus finished these sayings, the effect was that the crowds were astounded at his way of teaching; for he was teaching them as a person having authority, and not as their scribes.—Matthew 7:28, 29.

Jesus Christ unquestionably proved to be the foretold “Wonderful Counselor.” (Isa. 9:6) The Sermon on the Mount is a prime example of Jesus’ knowledge of his heavenly Father’s way of viewing things. That discourse has much to say about genuine happiness, how to avoid immorality, the way to practice righteousness, what we must do to enjoy a secure and joyous future, and many other matters. Why not read Matthew chapters 5 through 7 once again carefully and prayerfully? Meditate on Jesus’ wonderful counsel recorded there. Apply in your life what Christ said in his Sermon on the Mount. Then you will be better able to please Jehovah, treat others properly, and keep on doing good.